Detroit Red Wings (via Getty Images) The Detroit Red Wings are a fixture in the NHL as one of the most storied and historic franchises in the league. Their 11 Stanley Cup championships and Hockeytown heritage make the Red Wings a stronghold of tradition. One untold statistic does exist, though, that even some die-hard fans may not even know—Detroit has appeared in the Stanley Cup Final a staggering 24 times, a mark only second to the Montreal Canadiens.
Stanley Cup history provides Detroit Red Wings with an edge in the NHL record books
Detroit Red Wings fans are extremely proud of their franchise’s status in the upper echelon of hockey. Among the NHL’s Original Six teams, few have a richer heritage. With 11 Stanley Cup championships—third in franchise history—and almost two dozen championship series appearances, the franchise’s influence on the sport is not debated. That figure is not only staggering—it solidifies the Red Wings’ position as one of the greatest organizations in league history. Though the team has grown irritated in recent years, their playoff résumé is far from unprecedented. For an team driven by grit, legends, and unyielding allegiance, the 24 Cup Final appearances are a badge of honor that spans decades of high-end competition.
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Detroit Red Wings have earned their name
No club in Canada has won the Cup since Montreal’s back in 1993, and only the Montreal Canadiens have participated in more Cup Finals (35). Detroit, meanwhile, hasn’t seen a Stanley Cup Final appearance since 2009, having last won in 2008. The team’s most recent playoff season was in 2016, and impatient fans are getting restless. But the burden of history at 24 Finals is hard to ignore—it puts Detroit among hockey’s royalty, even if recent years have robbed some of the luster. Although this string of subpar seasons has pushed the patience of the Detroit faithful, the city’s love affair with hockey remains intact. Under general manager Steve Yzerman, beginning his seventh season as such, the Red Wings are attempting to find themselves again and be part of the playoff mix. Also read: What happened to Olympia Stadium? Behind the legacy of Detroit Red Wings’ treasured homePresently, Detroit’s 24 Stanley Cup Final appearances hold tall, showing their storied history and the lofty expectation that fans, rightly, still demand.